Kia ora koutou katoa. We have some very clever students in our school, and this week I was really impressed with the creative thinking and inventive skills that Jessie O’Hanlon showed. At Jessie’s home, they have many stairs from the front door to the lounge area and she was finding her school bag felt very heavy walking all the way up, so she decided to invent a solution to this issue. With the help of her Dad, she made a device that she puts the bag on downstairs and then walks upstairs where she uses a pulley system to bring it up to her. She even thought of adding wheels to the wall side of it so it won’t scratch the wall. That is so clever Jessie, well done!!

Milford Students are invited to a Walking and Wheels Day, Wednesday 23rd September for Years 0,1,2 and 3 Thursday 24th September for Years 4 and 5. Bring your bike or scooter, and join us for a fun day being Travelwise!

A big thank you to everyone who got behind our Jester's Pie Day today. Unfortunately there was a delay in the delivery due to an accident on the harbour bridge. Our students were all very patient while they waited for the truck to get through. It was a huge relief for all when they were finally delivered to the classes and the children got to enjoy their choice of delicious pie. We will be having another pie day next term, so keep an eye out for that date in week 3.

Nau mai hāere mai ki Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori! (Welcome to Māori Language Week!) Our tamariki and kaiako have been very busy this wiki (week) exploring tikanga (protocols), ways to kōrero (speak), whakarongo (listen), pānui (read), waiata (sing), tākaro (play), ako (learn), and te toi (the arts). Our kaiako (teachers) explored some rauemi (resources) and traditional Māori games that were also taught to the ākonga (students).

Room 14 have joined New World's Little Garden League. Last week we all planted our little seedlings and are excitedly watching them grow into yummy, juicy vegetables.

Many of the students will have seen Year 5s out on the Milford School Launchpad (the field) testing out their prototype rockets this week. We have been manipulating different variables to see what makes for an optimal launch: air pressure, water volume and launch angle.

After interviewing children about new initiatives they wanted included in the music programme at Milford School, I have started a lunchtime creative group. This is available on a Tuesday lunchtime for any Year 5 and 6 student that wants to dance, jam, use instruments and be creative!

You may have seen our robotic kiwi in the Pouaka Room the last few weeks.

In classroom music, the children have been focussing on the PYP theme - 'How we express ourselves". All children from Year 1 - 6 have been expressing themselves through compositions in either movement, rakau sticks, soundscapes or compositions.

Our ESOL students have had an extra opportunity to not only celebrate Te Reo Maori in their classrooms, but in their ESOL classes, too. Those able to read and write in their heritage languages have worked collaboratively in creating multilingual vocabulary lists and have compared some of the language features of Te Reo Maori to their languages.

Next Term the Year 2 students are inquiring into How our World works, and are on the hunt for resources. If you have any tall, large cardboard boxes; a fridge box or similar, could you please drop them off in The Hive or Room 12 before the end of term. We need four! Tēnā rawa atu koe

After deciding on our topic, 'How to protect fish in New Zealand', my group researched and took action by interviewing an expert to find out how this issue affects the environment and the people, particularly in our local area - the Hauraki Gulf.

As you will have heard there will be no more winter netball competition for primary schools this year. While it is very disappointing it is not completely unexpected. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the parents who have given up their time and were prepared to make changes to accommodate the game for the sake of our netballers. We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful Friends of the School who are willing to help in sports.

Waterwise is an exciting and enriching experience for all of our Year 5 & 6 students at Milford School. As the 2021 year is fast approaching we will be looking for parents of some of the upcoming Year 5's (current Year 4) to help and assist us with this programme. Also any current Year 5 parents who are keen to upskill. You are able to assist at Waterwise as a non-trained helper, however if you are keen to become a trained Waterwise Instructor, the next course dates have been finalised.

We will be holding a ballot for out of zone students in October this year, for entry to school in 2021. This ballot includes out of zone siblings of students already attending Milford School. The final day to get a ballot application into school is Wednesday 14 October. The ballot will be drawn by our Police Education Officer on Wednesday 21 October.

Open Week - Due to the lockdown, our Open Days and Evening had to be postponed. We will now hold an Open Week from Monday 21 September through to Friday 25 September between 9.00am and 3.00pm. Parents and caregivers are welcome to come along and have a guided tour through the school at any time during these hours. It will not be necessary to book an appointment time.

Thank you so much to all the parents and school supporters who have saved Yummy Stickers and sent them into school. While this promotion goes all year, we do have to send our present collection in by the end of this term.

The line up of speakers is AMAZING!! The Parenting for Resilience, Confidence & Independence Online Summit is FREE and being help Online on Friday 9th -11th October 2020. 3 days and 3 strands with 21 international and national speakers including Prof Art Costa & Dr Bena Kallick, Lisa O'Neill, Dr Justin Coulson, Amy Scott, Tony Ryan, Megan Gallagher, Jacqlin Richards, Cat Levine and so many more...

We are excited to be able to confirm the new Shore to Shore date as SUNDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2020! Online registrations are now open.

Linku2 School Holidays have lots of great local and across NZ, holiday programmes and fun family activities.

Get your kids excited about technology with these 13 awesome holiday programmes, or after school lessons either classroom sessions or virtual sessions.

Tap into your child’s potential by encouraging their creativity with Bricks 4 Kidz® Holiday Programme, a fresh and fun way for kids aged 5-12 to spend their school holiday! Students will show off their engineering skills, problem solving, creativity and imagination, explore the world of Science, Engineering and Architecture using STEM principles. Your only limitation is your imagination!

Please note that the following advertisements are from external sources / businesses and are intended to be informative for the reader. This does not imply that they are endorsed by Milford School.